Feeding mechanism for mop-making machines



June 17, 1930. G. F. MATTESO'N 1,763,800 I J 'FEEDING MECHANISM FOR MOP MAKING MACHINES Filed May 2, 1925' s Sheets-Sheet 1 WWW, i lirok/vf I June 17, 1930. G. F. MATTESON :FEEDING MECHANISM FOR MOP MAKING MACHINES I Filed May 2, 1925 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 G. F. MATTESON June 17, 1930.

vFEEDING MECHANISM FOR MOP MAKING MACHINES Filed May 2, 1925 s Sheets-Sheet s Viv/7'0)? A7- rap/var VIII/IA Patented June 17, 1930 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE GEORGE FRANKLYN MATTESON', OF ROCKY HILL, CONNECTICUT, ASSIGNOR TO THE FULLER BRUSH COMPANY, OF HARTFORD, CONNECTICUT, A CORPORATION OF CON- NECTICUT FEEDING MECHANISM FOR MOP-MAKING MACHINES Application filed May 2,

My invention relates tomechanism for removing formed structures, as mops, from the mechanism employed to form them, and an object of my invention, among others, is the productionof such a mechanism that shall be simple in construction and particularly eflicient in operation, as well as to provide means for severing a length of material comprising several structures into lengths that shall each comprise a single structure.

One form of mechanism embodying my invention, and in the construction and use of which the objects herein set out, as well as others, may be attained, is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in Which Figure 1 is a View in side elevation of my improved transfer mechanism, with parts broken away to show construction.

Serial No. 27,575.

regular intervals mop bodies 13, such mass being severed midway between the mop bodies during lengthwise movement of the Figure 2 is a top view of the same with parts broken away to show construction.

Figure 3 is a view in cross section on a plane denoted by the dotted line 3-3 of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a detail view, scale enlarged, illustrating the manner of engagement of the feeding members with the mop structures.

Figure 5 is a detail view in section on a plane denoted by the dotted line 55 of Figure 4:.

While my invention forming the subject matter of this application is not limited in its operation upon devices of any specific form, yet as I have found it to be especially applicable for use in connection with machines for forming mops such has been selected by me for the purpose of disclosure of my inven tion in the drawings herein, in which drawings the numeral 10 denotes generally the frame of the machine, 11 forming devices, which forming devices do not require any specific description herein as an aid to an understanding of the invention, it being suiiicient to state that in the operation of these forming devices a metal blank is bent around a wire core and around mop material 12 composed of coarse threads, which material is folded over said core and within the body comprising said formed metal blank, this mop structure being illustrated in Figure 4 wherein the numeral 13 denotes the body from which the threads comprising the 1110p mass to form individual mop structures, the projecting ends of the mop bodies at the advancing end of the mass or length being utilized as a means for pulling that part of the mass or length further back up into position for action of the forming devices 11, and, thereafter, for removing the portions so acted upon from the Zone of the forming devices, and as shown in Figures 1 and2 of the drawings. This movement of the mass, after the bodies 13 have been secured to the thread mass by the forming devices, is a step-bystep movement which is effected by mechanism constructed and operated as follows:

The transfer frame 10 extends forwardly, that is, in the direction of movement of the thread mass, from a forming device frame '16 that supports the'forming devices 11, and these two frames support a cam shaft 17that is driven, as by means of intermeshing bevel gears, by a driving shaft 18 rotatably mounted in the frame 10 and that is driven as by means of a bolt passing around a pulley 19 secured to the driving shaft.

Guides and supports 20 are mounted in standards 21-22 rising from the top of the frame 10, there being two standards 21 and two standards 22', the members of each pair being located opposite each other on the frame, and as shown in Figure 2. The guides 20 are of angular shape, preferably square, in cross section and they each have a rocking movement in bearings at the tops of the standards 21 and 22. This rocking movement is effected bymeans of a guide rocking lever 23 secured to the end of one of the guides 20 and having an actuating rod 24: pivotally secured to one end and extending downwardly into engagement with a guide rocking cam 25 secured to the cam shaft 17. Another guide rocking lever 26 is secured to an end of the other guide and support 20, said lever being pivotally attached to one end of the lever 23, and as shown in Figure 2 of the drawings. By means of the ,n'iechanisn'i just described a simultaneous rmtlring movement oi the guides 20 in opposite directions is eilected by means of the "am Strip moving bars 27 are mounted, one on each of the guides 20, each of these bars having a recess extending lengthwise along its under side and shaped in cross section to lit the guide 20 on which it is mounted. Feeding arms 28 are secured to the ends of the bars 27, the upper end of each of said arms having a recess of angular shape in cross section to correspond with that in the bar 27 from which the arms depend. There are pairs of these arms, one arm of each pair being secured to each of the bars 27, and when so secured, as by means of screws, an openin is formed to fit and receive one of the guides 20, whereby the bars 27 may move lengthwise along the guides independently thereof but are compelled to rock with them. The lower end of each arm 28 has a recess 32 opening toward and in line with a like recess in the lower end of the opposite arm, these recesses being of a size and shape to receive the ends of mop bodies that are supported each with one end 29 in one of said recesses at the time of movement of said arms, as hereinafter described. to feed the strip 30 ot mop material along the top of the table 15 extending from the frame 16 and supported at its opposite end on a cross bar of the frame 10, it being understood that this frame comprises side parts joined at suitable places by cross or tie bars. It will be noted that these bodies with the projecting ends thereof are each permanently attached to the strip 30 and said strip when mentioned in the claims herein is to be considered as including the said bodies as a portion of said strip.

Positioning stops 31 are secured to opposite edges of the table 15 appurtenant to the rear pair of feeding arms 2, these stops being beveled to permit movement of the ends 29 ot' the mop bodies over said stops, the front edges of which form shoulders to receive said ends and thus locate them so that when the arms 28 swing inwardly said ends will pass into the recesses 32 in the ends of the arms.

Stop latches are pivotally mounted on tracks 33 positioned on top of the frame to receive the ends 29 of the mop bodies as they are moved to the discharge end of the machine, and as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. These stop latches are of bell crank term and are held with their stop arms 34 in raised positions, as by means of springs, as shown in Figure 5 of the drawings, the short arms of the levers resting against stop pins when the stop arms are in such raised positions. Positioning latches 35 are pivotally attached to the tracks 33 with their upper cues in front of the ends oi? the stop arms 34 and extending above said arms, these positioning latches being spring 'n'essed toward the stop arms. In Fact, a single spring is employed for each stop arm and cooperating positioning latch, the opposite ends of each spring being attached to said members, as shown. in Figure 5.

In the operation of the mechanism the mop structures, comprising in the strip 30, after action of the forming device 11 are moved successively by the rear pair of arms 28 and the forward pair of said arms in step-bystcp moven'ients to three different stations, a receiving station a, a cutting off station Z), and a discharge station 0. The rear pair of arms 28 having engaged the ends 29 of a mop body, and the bars 27 being moved forward by the mechanism hereinafter described. said mop body comprised in the strip 30 and car ried by the rear pair of arms 28 is moved from the receiving station a to the cutting ofl station 7) and this movement draws that part of the strip 30 comprising the mop body, that has just been formed by the devices 11, forward to the station a, but a little in advance of its final position at said station, said ends in their travel to the station a passing over the positioning stops 31. Si1nultaneously with the movement of the rear pair of arms 28 the forward pair of said arms, also engaged with the ends of a mop body, move the latter from the station 7) to the discharge station 0, said arms, now being swung outwardly by the mechanism hereinbetore described and comprising the rocking lever and arms 21) and 26, are disengaged trom the ends of the mop body and are moved backwardly to the opposite ends of their paths of travel. During this movement the forming devices have operated to attach a mop body to the mop material and in this movement the mop material being tucked upwardly between the dies of the forming device the strip 30 is moved bacx ardly until the ends 29 of the mop body at the station (ii are drawn against the stops 31 and are thus positioned for engagement within the recesses in the rear ard arms 28 when the latter are now swung inwardly toward each other. The mops disengaged from the arms at the station 0 travel down an inclined portion 36 of the tracks 33 to' a horizontal portion thereot where they come to rest. As the mop structures are moved by the rearward pair of arms 28 from the station a to the station 7), as they arrive. at the latter station the stop arms 34": are presse, downwardly and the ends 2!) are moved against the ends of the positioning latches 35, but not beyond them, said latches, however, being moved forwardly to some extent. When the rearward pair of positioning arms are disengaged from the ends of the mop body at the station Z) the spring acting upon the stop arm and positioning latch draws the latter backwardly locating the ends of the mop body between the end of a stop arm and the side of the adjacent positioning latch and in position to be engaged by the recesses in the forward pair of arms 28 when the latter are moved backwardly for this purpose.

It will be seen from this description that each mop body is moved by the rearward pair of arms 28 from station a; to station I) and by the forward pair of arms from station 5 to the discharge station 0.

A cutter supporting bracket 37 is secured to one of the side parts of the frame 10 and a cutter supporting arm 38 is pivotally mounted at one end in said bracket, the oppo site end of said arm having bearings 39 that receive the shaft 40 of a cutter 41. This cutter is rotated as by means of a belt 42 extending around a pulley on the cutter shaft and a pulley secured to a shaft 43, the shaft 43, in fact, comprising the pivot for the arm 38. The shaft 43 is driven as by means of a belt 44 extending to a pulley on the shaft of a. motor 45, the motor, therefore, serving to drive the cutter. The arm 38 has an extension 46 operatively connected with a cutter operating cam 47 secured to the shaft 17, this cam being properly formed to impart oscillating movement to the arm 38 and carry the cutter 41 into engagement with the strip 30 at certain periods of rest of said strip and whereby the strip is divided between each step-by-step movement thereof into mop structures 14.

During the operation of the cutter 41 to sever the strip 30 a clamp 48 is engaged with the strip to hold it against movement, said clamp being supported by clamp arms 49 secured to a clamp actuating shaft 50 having a clamp actuating arm 51 secured thereto and projecting into engagement with a clamp actuating cam 52 secured to the cam shaft 17 and'formed to impart timely movement to the clamp to engage the strip 30 and clamp it against movement at the time of operation of the cutter thereon.

Reciprocating movement is imparted to the bars 27 by means of strip moving levers 53-54, each of which is secured at its lower end to a rock shaft 55 and each of which is engaged at its upper end within a slot 56 in the side of one of the bars 27. The lever 53 has, intermediate its ends, a roller engaged within a groove in a strip moving cam 57 secured to the cam shaft 17 and formed to impart timely reciprocating movement to the bars 27 relatively to the operations of the forming de vices, the cutter and the mechanism for operating the arms 28 to receive and release the ends of the mop bodies. A support 58 of a width slightly greater than that of the strip 30 is located underneath and to support a portion of the mop structures located at the station Z) after such structures have been severed'from the main strip 30. This support maintains the mop material in a raised position after it has been severed by the cutter 41 until after it has passed, in its movement from the station 6, beyond the mechanism underneath.

It will be noted that the structure for supporting the cutter 41 is so arranged that said cutter is swung perpendicularly to the path of movement of the strip 30 and, therefore, but slight movement of the cutter is required to sever the strip 30, this being a departure from structures in which a circular cutter is moved across the strip from one edge to the other.

In accordance with the provisions of the patent statutes I have described the principles of operation of my invention, together with the device which I now consider to represent the best embodiment thereof; but I desire to have it understood that the device shown is only illustrative and that the invention may be carried out by other means, and applied to uses other than those above set out.

I claim- 1. A feeding mechanism for a strip of material. having devices attached thereto in spaced relation, said mechanism comprising a plurality of feeding members, mechanism for imparting movement to each of said members from an engaging end of its pathof movement forward to a releasing end of said path and back, and including means for positioning one of said members at the forward end of its path of movement approximately in the position of the other member at the rearward end of its path of movement, the strip at one point of travel positioning the devices slightly in advance of the point of engagement by the feeding members, inde pendent means for moving the strip backwardly to present the devices for engagement by the feeding members, and means for engaging said members with the devices on said strip at the ends of their paths of movement and for releasing them at the opposite ends of their paths of movement.

2. A feeding mechanism for a strip of material having devices attached thereto in spaced relation, said mechanism comprising a plurality of feeding members, mechanism for imparting simultaneous movement to said members from engaging ends of their paths of movement forward to releasing ends of said paths and back, and including means for positioning one of said members at the forward end of its path approximately in the position of the other member at the rearward end of its path, the strip at one point of travel positioning the devices slightly in advance of the point of engagement by the feeding members, independent means for moving the strip backwardly to present the devices for engagement by the feeding members, and means for engaging said members with the devices on said strip at the rear ends of their paths and. for releasing them at the forward ends of said paths.

3. A feeding mechanism for a strip of material having devices attached thereto in spaced relation, said mechanism comprising a plurality of feeding members rigidly connected and spaced apart, mechanism for moving said members from engaging ends of their paths of movement forward a distance approximately equal to the space between said members and to releasing ends of said paths and back, the strip at one point of travel positioning the devices slightly in advance of the point of engagement by the feeding members, independent means for moving the strip backwardly to present the devices for engagement by the feeding members, and means for engaging said members with the devices on said strip at the rear ends of said paths and for releasing them at the forward ends of said paths.

4. A feeding mechanism for a strip of material having devices attached thereto in spaced relation, said mechanism comprising aplurality of feeding members, mechanism for imparting movement to each of said members from an engaging end of its path of movement forward to a releasing end of said path and back, and including means for positioning one of said members at the forward end of its path approximately in the position of the other member at the rearward end of its path, the strip at one point of travel positioning the devices slightly in advance of the point of engagement by the feeding members independent means for moving the strip backwardly to present the devices for engagement by the feeding members, and means for moving said members laterally in one direction at one end of their paths of movement and for moving them laterally in the opposite direction at the other end of their paths of movement for engagement with and release from the devices on said strip.

A feeding mechanism for a strip of material having devices attached thereto in spaced relation, said mechanism including a slid-ably mounted strip moving bar, feeding members secured to said bar, means for moving said bar from an engaging position for ward a distance approximately that of the space between said feeding members to a releasing position and back, the strip at one point of travel positioning the devices slightly in advance of the point of engagement by the feeding members, independent means for moving the strip backwardly to present the devices for engagement by the feeding members, and means for moving said bar to impart lateral movement to said feed members in one direction at one end of their path of movement and thereafter for moving said bar to impart lateral movement to said members in the opposite direction for engagement of said feed members with and disengagement from the devices on said strip.

G. l feeding mechanism for a strip of material having devices attached thereto in spaced relation, said mechanism including a guide mounted for oscillating movement, a strip moving bar mounted for reciprocating movement on said guide, feeding members secured to said bar, means for moving said bar from an engaging position forward a distance approximately that of the space between said feeding members to a releasing position and back, the strip at one point of travel positioning the devices slightly in advance of the point of engagement by the feeding members, independent means for moving the strip backwardly to present the devices for engagement by the feeding members, and means for imparting oscillating movement to said guide to engage said feeding members with the devices on said strip at one end of their paths of movement and for releasing said members from the devices on said strip at the opposite ends of their paths of movement.

7. A feeding mechanism for a strip of material having devices attached thereto in spaced relation, said mechanism comprising a plurality of pairs of feeding members, mechanism for imparting movement to each of said pairs from an engaging end of its path of movement forward to a releasing end of said path and back, and including means for positioning the members of one of said pairs at the forward ends of their paths of movement approximately in the position of the other members of the pair at the rearward end of their paths of movement, the strip at one point of travel positioning the devices slightly in advance of the point of engagement by the feeding members, independent means for moving the strip backwardly to present the devices for engagement by the feeding members, and means for engaging the members of each pair with opposite ends of the devices on said strip in their rearward positions and for disengaging them from said devices in their forward positions.

8. A feeding mechanism for a strip of material having deviees attached thereto in spaced relation, said mechanism comprising a plurality of pairs of feeding members rigidly connected and spaced apart, mechanism for n'loving said pairs from engaging ends of their paths of movement forward a distance approximately equal to the space between said pairs to releasing ends of their paths of movement and back, the strip at one point of travel positioning the devices slightly in advance of the point of engagement by the feeding members, independent means for moving the strip baekwardly to present the devices for engagement by the feeding members, and means for engaging the members of each of said pairs with opposite ends of the devices on said strip in the rearward positions of the pairs and for dis-- engaging them from said devices in the forward positions of the pairs.

9. A feeding mechanism for a strip of material having devices attached thereto in spaced relation, said mechanism comprising a plurality of pairs of feeding members pivotally mounted atone end, mechanism for imparting movement to each of said pairs from an engaging end of their paths of movement forward to a releasing end of said paths and back, and including means for positioning the members of one of said pairs at the forward end of its path of movement approximately in the positions of the members of the other pair at the rearward ends of their paths of movement, the strip at one point of travel positioning the devices slightly in advance of the point of engagement by the feeding members, independent means for moving the strip backwardly to present the devices for engagement by the feeding members, and means for swinging said members on their pivots to engage the members of each pair with opposite ends of the devices on said strip at one end of their paths of movement and to disengage said members from said devices at the other ends of their paths of movement. 10. A feeding mechanism for a strip of material having devices attached thereto in spaced relation, said mechanism including a pair of slidably mounted strip moving bars, pairs of feeding members secured to said bars engageable with the devices on the strip, one member of each pair being secured to each bar, means for operating said bars to move said members from an engaging position forward a distance approximately that of the space between said feeding members to a releasing position and back, the strip at one point of travel positioning the devices slightly in advance of the point of engagement by the feeding members, independent means for moving the strip backwardly to present the devices for engagement by the feeding members, and means for rocking said bars to impart lateral engaging and disengaging movements of said members with respect to the devices on said strip.

11. A feeding mechanism for a strip of material having devices attached thereto in spaced relation, said mechanism including a pair of guides mounted for oscillating movement, a strip moving bar mounted for reciprocating movement on each of said guides, pairs of feeding members secured to said bars and engageable with the devices on the strip, one feeding member of each pair being secured to each bar, means for operating said bars to move said members from an engaging position forward a distance approximately that of the space between said pairs of feeding members to a releasing position and back, the strip at one point of travel positioning the devices slightly in advance of the point of engagement by the feeding members, independent means for moving the strip backwardly to present the devices for engagement by the feeding members, and means for imparting oscillating movement to said guides to engage said members with and release them from the devices on said strip.

12. The combination with feeding mechanism for a strip of material having projections along its length, said mechanism including feeding members to engage said projections, and means for operating said feeding members for engagement with and release from said projections, of means for causing backward movement of said strip, and means for limiting said backward movement to position said projections for engagement by said feeding members.

13. The combination with feeding mechanism for a strip of material having projections along its length, said mechanism including feeding members to engage said projections, means for alternately engaging said feeding members with and for releasing them from said projections, and means for imparting a step-by-step feeding movement to said members, of means for performing an operation upon said strip whereby it is moved backwarclly, and means for limiting said backward movement to position the strip projections for engagement with said feeding members. I

14:. The combination with feeding mechanism for a strip of material having projections along its length, said mechanism including feeding members having recesses to receive said projections, means for imparting step-by-step movement to said feeding members, and means for moving said feeding members laterally for engagement with and release from said projections, of means for moving said strip backwardly in the course of its forward feed, and means for limiting said backward movement to position said projections opposite said recesses.

GEORGE FRANKLYN MATTESON. 

